Back to Italian
Pasta Pomodoro
Italian 25 min Easy

Pasta Pomodoro

Silky tomato-basil sauce clinging to a bowl of pasta.

Origin & Story

Pomodoro sauce is the soul of southern Italian cooking, a slow-simmered blend of tomatoes, garlic and basil that turns four cheap ingredients into something greater than the sum of its parts.

Main Spices & Their Role

Black pepper

Simple seasoning that lets the tomato shine.

Chilli flakes

An optional pinch for background warmth.

Ingredients

  • 200g pasta
  • 1 can chopped tomatoes
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • Fresh basil
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt & pepper

Method

  1. 01

    Cook pasta in salted water until al dente.

  2. 02

    Soften garlic in olive oil, then add the tomatoes.

  3. 03

    Simmer 15 minutes until thick, seasoning with salt and pepper.

  4. 04

    Tear in basil and toss with the drained pasta.

  5. 05

    Serve with a drizzle of olive oil.

Veg & Vegan Alternatives

Vegetarian

This dish is already vegetarian.

Vegan

Already vegan — skip the parmesan and finish with olive oil instead.

Pan & Pantry

Cheap, beginner-friendly recipes from around the world. Everything here needs nothing more than a pan, a knife and a hungry appetite.

© 2026 Pan & Pantry. A simple global cookbook.

Created by Aarav Gautam